Michelle Benfield Obituary

Michelle Angela Benfield, 56, beloved mother, sister, daughter, cousin, and friend, passed away on September 9, 2024, in Manhattan, New York. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on October 12th at the DeKalb Funeral Service, officiated by the Reverends Leslie J. Benfield Humphrey and Fayeanne Braz. 

Michelle was born on August 19, 1968, in Washington, D.C., to Edgar Mortimer Benfield and Joan Anita Warner Benfield. She attended St. Margaret’s Elementary School, and St. Elizabeth Seton High School in Seat Pleasant and Bladensburg, Maryland, respectively. Michelle received a bachelor’s degree from The State University of New York at Stonybrook, and a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University. For decades, she dedicated her life’s work to improving the psychosocial wellbeing of her clients in her career as a licensed clinical social worker. For almost 30 years she worked in hospitals, for non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies including the Bureau of Child Welfare. In the latter part of her career, she worked as a hospital case manager, and briefly as a lecturer for a small community college in New York City, teaching aspiring social workers. While battling with chronical illness in the latter part of her life, Michelle chronicled her experiences in her memoir entitled Both Sides. 

Throughout her life, Michelle loved with her whole heart and gave sacrificially. She made others feel seen and valued. Many knew her as a bridge that connected people who committed her life to following Jesus in tangible ways. Michelle was also an active member of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY. 

Michelle is preceded in death by her parents, Joan and Edgar Benfield, and her brother, Paul Blackman. Left to treasure her memory are her son, Myles Tuitt; brother, Roger Blackman; sisters, Magda Benfield-Williamson (Reginald); & Leslie Benfield Humphrey (Dana); the Braz, Noel, Davis, Ralph, Greene, and Anderson families; and many other beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Arrangements are by the DeKalb Funeral Services. Memorial remembrances may be sent to the DeKalb Funeral Services in Brooklyn, New York. 

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their expressions of sympathy, and to Dekalb Funeral Services for its care of our beloved, Michelle.

Everyone is invited to join the repast at the Sugar Hill Restaurant and Supper Club, 217 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. following the service.